Processing apparatus



March 10, 1953 E. R. ANDERSON PROCESSING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 5, 1948 \m mu N fi Q mm A T 5 Sk my 0 3 2 W f .m FM Y. B

ATTORNEY March 10, 1953 E. R. ANDERSON PROCESSING APPARATUS 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 5. 194a INVENTOR. far/ leA/iderson nrroe/var fig. 4.

E. R. ANDERSON PROCESSING APPARATUS March 10, 1953 '9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 5, 1948 INVENTOR. [ar/ 2. 4 00 6/1500 147' 7 OF/V' 7 L fig. 6.

March 10, 1953 E. R. ANDERSON 2,630,908

PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 jg. 6c,

jg. 6b.

INVENTOR. [ar/ 1?. Andaman Y fizm March 10, 1953 Filed April 5, 1948 E. R. ANDERSON PROCESSING APPARATUS fig. 10%.

jg. 10 a.

9 Sheets-Sheet 7 E 0/"/ B. Anderson E. R. ANDERSON PROCESSING APPARATUS March 10, 1953 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April 5, 1948 INVENTOR. far/ )9. Anderson March 10, 1953 E. R. ANDERSON 2,630,908

PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed April 5, 1948 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 fig. 1'6.

3 6) fig. 1'5. 4/ 58 I 3 INVENTOR. 55 far/ 1?. Anderson 53 57 BY 4Z4 ATTORN Patented Mar. 10, 1953 UNITED ST OFFICE PROCESSING APPARATUS, EarliR. Anderson, Campbell, Calif.

Application. Aprilfi, 1948,v SeriaLNo. 19,096

- 15Glaiins: (Cl. 198-211) The presentinvention relates to.v processing,-

apparatus-much ascooker and" coolers; for-food in containers and isconcernedf more particularly witlrthe provisionof anautomatic *containerfeed mechanism forsuch apparatus:

In the processing of food-in containersthe two general types of feed mechanisms now' in use comprise first a; cylindrical tanlr with a spiral trackabout its periphery and a reelrotatable withinthe tank forpropelling the containers" around thetank-sothatthey' are advanced endwise-by the helical track. In this-type of container feed" only a small part' of the total space withinthe processing apparatus can be utilized only a small amount of usable spacewithin the tanl: is employed; and in the second type, the" containershit each other more or less continuously and this type of apparatus cannot be employed with glassjars are the breakage lossis prohibitive;

In accordance-With the instant invention the principaldifiiculties of existing processingapparatus as outlined-aboveareeliminated and a" feed mechanism is provided for" containers which enablesfilling' of substantially the entire processing' space with containers and at' the same time pro;- vides a; segregated positive" control of the corrtainers in travelling through the tank so as to' avoid the possibility of breakage. This is efffected" without the provision of" speci l" powerdriven conveyingmeans and the travel of'the:

containers is effected automatically in response to a cyclic movement of the processing tank' it'- self. Also, advantageis taken ofthe: force of gravity ineproducing a step-by-step progress of the containers through: the processing" path, or

paths so that aneconomical feed arrangement, both fromconstruction and from power requirements, is provided:

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention-- are-contained in" the following description of certain preferred" embodiments thereof, as-illustrated -in theaccompanyingdrawings; in-which:

Figure'l is a side elevational view-of processing apparatus embodying the; invention:

Figure-2 is a: transverse-sectional view-of the apparatus taken as indicatediby, the. line 2-1; in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectionaLvieW through one processing pathof, the apparatus illustrating. the parts inoneposition of adjustment or travel; thereofi Figure 4 is aview, similarto. Figure, 3; showing the parts in another position. a

Figure 5' is a, view. similar to Figures 3 and 4,, but showing the conditionrof the parts in marine verted relation with respect thereto.

Figure 6 is a fragmentaryplan'vi'ew illustrating certain detailsof construction of the appae ratus.

Figures 7a through 7e. are, schematic, views, illustrating the operation of. a .trackior eifecting automatic advance of. a container.

Figures 8a through are; similar viewawitli a modified movement of the processingstrncture.

Figure 9 is aschematic view illustrating the progression of' the container and" the control strips in; relation thereto in effecting a. one step. advance of the container.

Figures 10a and lOjare: schematic views, illustrating the operation: ofthe track during; a step. advance. ofa container and correspond to various. positionsishown inFignre 9.

Figure 1-1. is a fragmentary sectional view showingthe discharge end of a'trackn Figure 12; is a fragmentary sectional view showing the: feed end of a track.

Figure 1'3is' a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure. 3 illustrating, a modified former" the invention in which. the, opposed controlijracks, of each; track structureimove together. and" oppositely" in controlling feeding of the. containers or, Jars.

Figure 14a is, a diagram. showing: the path of. movementzof' a control rack in. effecting a one.- step advance of the. container.

Figure 15' is an elevational' view of the discharge gate.

Figure 16 is a sectional; detail, view of the cam. follower construction. for controlling movement of the racks.

Referring to Figures 1i and 2, there.v is, inns-.- trated processing. apparatus including a substantially square casing or tank i'i'f'having circular end flanges, II and I2 supported. in,,.si'milar spaced rollers 13; with one roller. lii'lat eachflange being connected to the drive shaft of. electric motors M and I5; respectively. As seen in Figure, 2', ,there are two horizontally, spaced .sets, of tracks in both the lower. andnpperhalves ofithe tan-k li the lower sets of tracks being aligned with respective upper and lower feed chutes it each having a series of double recessed feed control disks or wheels I? associated therewith and mounted and controlled for intermittent halfrotations in a conventional fashion. Two discharge ramps i8 are associated with the upper sets of tracks at the discharge end of the tank.

In general, in the operation of the processing apparatus the motor it drives the tank Hi for a one-half revolution so that the respective positions of the respective upper and lower tracks are reversed. At this time the circuit of the motor I 4 is interrupted and a dwell is provided in the movement of the tank for feeding and discharge of containers. Thereafter, the circuit for the motor 15 is energized so that a reverse movement takes place for one-half revolution. Any suitable circuit control means may be provided for the motor l4 and 45 to carry out the above-described operation. In other words, the motors I4 and I are one suitable means of providing a back and forth oscillation of the tank through 180 so that each of the tracks extending through the tank is successively positioned to receive a container and to discharge a container. Any other suitable means of obtaining this oscillation can be employed.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that in the present embodiment the tank I0 is separated into four vertical divisions by the series of sets of pipes 2-! and 22 which may carry the processing medium and which extend transversely between the sides of the tank. The series of pipes 21 of each set are at a slightly d iiferent elevation than the pipes 22 of the set for a purpose later described. The pipes 2| and 22 of each set are connected by U-shaped couplings 23 to provide a continuous zigzag conduit. The inlet end of each zigzag conduit is connected to a header 24 which is fed fro-m a length of flexible tubing or hose 25 connected to a suitable source of a processing medium, such as water, steam, or the like. Similarly, the discharge ends of th con duits formed by the sets of pipes 2| and 22 are connected through a suitable header 2'! to a discharge hose 2-6. The flexibility of the hoses 25 and 26 enables the swinging of the tank through the 180 oscillation without interfering with the supply and discharge of treating medium. If the treating medium is to be discharged into the tank for contact with the jars, then the pipes 2| and 22 may be perforated, or equipped with suitable spray nozzles.

The sets of pipes 21 and 22 also form part of the framework for the track system or structure of the feed mechanism. The framework also includes a plurality of longitudinal spacer strips or rails 3! (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6) which extend transversely of the pipes 2i .and 22 and are apertured to receive the pipes. The rails 31 are spaced apart by means including spacing sleeves 32 placed over the pipes 21 and 22 and end collars 33 similarly mounted on the pipes 21 and 22 and interposed between the spacing sleeves 32 and the rails. When the pipes 21 and 22 are perforated, the sleeves 32 are similarly perforated or slotted to expose the perforations of the pipes 2i and 22, or to provide for mounting of spray nozzles therein.

The dimensions of the sleeves 32 and collars 33 are selected so that the spaces between the rails 3! are slightly wider than the length of the conthan the sleeves 32 in the track spaces, and these central sleeves 3211 provide a central control space for the rack structures.

At each side of each space between adjacent rails 3| there are provided parallel similar track portions, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, made up of sheet metal angle segments 36 which are recessed to fit over an adjacent pair of collars 33 on the pipes 2i and 22 with a straight track section or flange 35a extending tangentially of the pipes and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the track structure. The flange 36a terminates in respec tive curved end portions 36b and 360 which fit around respective adjacent collars 33. Thus the opposite sides of a trackway are formed of respective opposite inclined track sections or flanges 3 50. which provide a series of valleys or container stations for progression of the containers from valley to valley. Each trackway has both an upper and a lower track formed as described above. It will be noted that the upper half of the trackway has its valleys evenly staggered with respect to the valleys of the lower half of the trac-kway. In general, the outline of each track structure may be defined as of a rounded saw tooth configuration.

From the above description it will be seen that a container can be supported adjacent its ends on either the upper or lower part of the trackway, and the space between opposite track sections of each trackway is used for control purposes. In order to control the advance of containers alo each track structure, there is provided a control strip or rack 40 (Figures 2 and 6) for each half of the track structure, and these control racks are of similar contour to the tracks. Each control rack 40 is formed of strip-like control segments 4! corresponding in saw tooth contour to the track segments and connected together toform an endless rack by spot welding or the like.

Each corresponding series of control racks or strips 49 in the same row of trackways is connected by respective transverse angle bars 42 guided in angularly disposed parallel slots 43 in the rails 31 so that the movement of each control rack is in a path parallel to the inclined track segments with which it is associated. As seen in Figure 3, the upper control rack or strip 40 moves at an angle to the axis of the container processing pat-h opposite to the angle of the lower control rack 40 with respect to said path axis.

The feed end of a track structure is illustrated in Figure 12 where it is seen that the endmost track section or segment 36a in the lower container supporting position is in alignment with the cooperating feed chute 16 while the control rack 40 associated with this lowermost track does not extend beyond the adjacent or endmost angle bar 42. Also, in entering the track structure from the feed chute Hi the container wipes past a onew-ay gravity pawl 4-4 which is piv-otally supported on a pivot rod Ma extending between an adjacent pair of rails 3| and normally is held 'by gravity against a stop pin 45. After a container has entered the track structure the pawl 44 will prevent its accidental dislodgement out of the end of the structure. Also, the endmost section of the upper control rack 49 in Figure 12 is shorter in length than the normal section of the rack to avoid interference with the adjacent pawl 4-4.

At the discharge end of each track structure, as shown in Figure 11, the end track segment 36a is extended and is in alignment with the discharge ramp It, the lowermost control rack 40 stops at its adjacent transverse support angle bar 42,, while; -the.- uppermostrracle 40 is extended b'firr yond; the-endmost bar; 42. for the.- extentl of: the-.- curved portion which mates with the. endm'ost: pipe Zl-zandspacer sleeves-32 ofthesupperseto-f pipes- 2.1-. and-.22.. Aszw-ill be-apparentf-rom the description" of 1 the? operation; this provides: for:

transfer. of bhBrEIldlHlOS'b' container into positionfor discharge onto-the ramp t8 As seen-.inFiguresl. and 2; the series-of: angle: bars 42- connecting; the: respective parallel series: of; lower control racks-49in the-twdupper setsrof: tracks are each. connected at their ends: and in:- termediate their ends by: a bracket-Mite: a longitudinal connecting bar 41.. Also,-, the;-interme= diate bars; 4 of. the two-upper series; otcontroli. racks-40% each-traclrway are; securediin' corre-- sponding: recesses:- of" a vertical. operating bar: 4% Similarly, the-upper series ofrasngle: bars 4221-" of: each off the two. setsmfupperitrackstructures are. connectedibybrackets Asa with-longitudinal cone necting: bars: 47a and; the, intermediate bars.- 41a ofeach: track structure are-connected; to aaverti. cal operating, bar (not: shown) similar. tozthei bar? 48- but at theiopposite endiofithemachine. Similarly thetwo lower. sets offtrack structures as? viewedtin Figure 2 have their respective sets? of angle'bars 4-2csand 4Zh'connectedby: brackets: 46c: and duh-respectively,- to connecting bars; 410 and, 4117; respectively." In turn'ibars 41c and; dare-- secured: to operatingi-bar liibiandia similar bar (not shownbat. theoppositeend ofZ themachinea.

Asseen in-Figure 1, the operating bar.- 48 ex-- tends, througlrthe: casing or tanlm it andis guided: in a. guide bracket 55! mounted. on the-casing I 8;. The upper end of: the operating bar 48. (Figures: 1 and 16')? isT shaped 2111 52 and carries aipair'of" pins 531sli1iabl1v mounted therein having cam fol-- lower rollers fi tithereonp Each pinfiflis provided: with alatch.groovetocooperate with a spring urged. latch pin 56 in-the head 52.. Qf-"thebar and thetwo cam rollers-5 t-are alternately operable under the control -of'a=loellcrank lever 55 pivoted at 51 on the-loar 53 The rollers M oo'operate with respect to the cam sl'ots SS -and 5F-in -a;:0am

track-' member 6F which" extends. circumferen tially. around the tank l-(l. Therei's-ei cam-track: memberfi l ateachend of the machine, a'nd these members are connected by suitablelongitudinal v braces fifl (Figure 1)! inoperative relation. with the cam slot 55 is in active; position; during: clockwise movement-d thetank for: 18.0? from the: position shown: in Eilg ure2 whentthe end oi'theroller Ell -engages azcam 62 (Figure 16) which depressesther right-hand P roller 5.6- and through: theabellcrank 55 elevates the: left-hand... roller 51 so that? the" leftehand? roller-with its. .eamtgroove. 58fwill be: in controller? the: movement: on the-racks. during the. return 180"" movementr-of?the -temk;v As seen in Figure the: roller 5d? has: just: been depressed at the end of; this: return movement; The: configurationzlofs the: respective cami grooves 58: and: 5-9 iszi'llus tratedt schematically in. Eigure le; onezofftliesei grooves corresponding: to. the. desiredi= endwisezmovement of a-set of control racks w that starts its: movement: as an lower set ofiraclrs. Theother;

groove corresponds .tor: theidesiredm'ovement: of: a

set-"of controlzracks fitth'atf starts its movement; asan upp GFSGFUIOESUCDJIHCKS;

Theconnectin'gb'ars 41a, Mb and floor-the: respective; sets of: bars: 42m. 42 b and; 42h" are, connected to their; respective. operatirue bars-4311;. 48b; and lflcrinathee same'smanner?aszdescri'bediinz connection. with; the connectingzzbarsi 4! and; the

r inabarz 4.8 so. that; the. controlrracks. 0E1" eratedtherebu are giventhesame movement at.

thesappropriate-time. in, the cycle ofioperation: as. thatgivemtothegracks controlled bythe. operat-- ing bar, 48e-and thecam tracks or grooves-58 and. 59 Each cam.track.58. or 59 is of: sufficient depth: to aocommodatethe endwise-component-of movement of. the-operating, bar. 48' asthe anglebars; 42. movealong, their inclined slots. It will be:-

: understood that suitable cam tracks similar to the camtraclss Elli-and 59 seen at the left of-,Fig ure: 1-- are;- provided at. the opposite end thereof.

To: control the discharge of. the containers.

from thevarious track. structures thereof while 1 thetrachstructure isoscillatingin eifecting. the

and itszassooiated discharge ramp 18.. The gate 63- is mounted. in; suitablefashion for sliding: movementon the track structure and moves under-control of a. cam- 66. (Figures 1 and 2.)- which: holds the gate in position to block discharge of the containersontil the track structures have arrived at their. discharge position when the blocking. strips 65.. associated with the upperset-o-ftraclc structures are moved to in-- active-position to permitthe endmostcontainers to. rollon-to the: respective dischargerampsit. The movement of the gate 63 to discharging positionspreferably occurs, during: the last. seven or eight degreesof movement of the tank before arriving: at: loading; and; discharging positions.

Operation.

Ingeneral, thetra'ck structuredisclosed herein operates; to eif'ect a step-by-step feed of a file of containers; such as gl'assjars or tin cans, through a processing chamber where they may be subjected to a heating or cooling operation. The step-by-stcp progression of" a container is e1 fected: in response to an oscillatory movement of thetrackstructure'an'd'the tank so that the container is moved back-and forth between theoppo site---tracks-and at the same time is advanced longitudinally of the track structure each time itengages and travels down a;- track segment;

The feed oi 'thejars-l'l from the feed chutes It" is effected with a transverserow offourjars in both the-upper and lower feed chutes; but the operation willbe described in connection with one jar; Similarly, the description of the operation willloe' confined to=one=t'racl:'structure it bemg: understoodthat the other track structures operate in" the same manner; With the tank lil AsseeninrF-igure 3, the iars-:.'l.l.a, Fill: and Ho are? restingfinithe. respective valleys of the lower.

trackaand the: control. rack 46' associated there-- withis: in: its. lowermost position, so. that the. j arsr have just concluded rolling down the segmental track sections (under control of the associated rack 40) leading into the valleys in which they are resting and are ready for transfer (during the next oscillation of the processing apparatus) to the track structure including the control rack 46a at the upper part of Figures 3 and 1011 which it will be seen is advanced to its rightmost position in this figure. It willbe noted that in this position of the parts the upper rack 48a blocks over travel of a jar and thereby prevents hitting and consequent breakage of jars. A corresponding position of the parts is shown in Figure 7a.

As the structure begins to oscillate clockwise, as viewed. in Figure 7a, the jar is tilting and slides endwise (Figure '71)) so that its weight is supported partially against the adjacent pair of rails 31 and is in part removed from the track sections, and in Figure 7c the jar is entirely supported by the rails. At this point in the operation, the respective opposite control racks 40 have moved from the positions shown in Figure 3 to the positions shown in Figures 4 and 10?), i. e., position b of Figure 9. In this condition of the parts, the lower control rack at is advanced so that the jar, as seen in Figures 1, 9 and 10b, is firmly supported between the upper and lower control racks. This operation occurs at about the time or just before the jar arrives in its upright position at Figure 70, so that its weight can be transferred from one control rack to the other with no possibility of a drop which would cause breakage of the jars. Subsequently, as the tilting of the jars continues, as shown in Figures 7d and 7c, the control rack Ma becomes the lower rack, as shown in Figures 5, 7e, 9 and 100.

The diagrammatic views shown in Figure 9 illustrate the various movement of the upper and lower control racks and of the container being transferred from one rack to the other, the starting position being shown in full lines in each instance, the transfer or No. 1 position being shown in a line with one dash, the No, 2 with two dashes, the No. 3 with three dashes, etc. In a part of Figure 9 and Figures 10c through 10 the parts are shown in inverted position with respect to their actual position in the machine and in the remainder of the drawings so that the comparative positions of the parts will remain the same as seen in Figures 10a and 10b.

It will be noted that in Figure 100 the control rack 48 (which is now uppermost) has returned to the same position as shown in Figure 10a (as also seen in position No. 2 in Figure 9) so that it will be out of the path of the jar in moving down the adjacent track section under control of the rack 36a. The No. 4 position of the parts,

as seen in Figure 9, corresponds to Figure 10d.

and shows the maximum clearance between the rack 45 and its associated track structure 42 and the jar in travelling down the opposed track structure 42a under control of the rack AM. This movement of the jar continues, as shown in Figures 10c and position No. 5 of Figure 9, but the upper rack if! has started its advance and this position illustrates the minimum clearance existing between the jar and the opposite control rack.

The No. 5 position of Figure 9 is shown also in Figure 10 and shows the jar at the end of its step of movement along the track structure 42a while the upper rack (shown lowermost in Figure 10a) has been advanced so that it occupies the same relative position to the jar as the position of the rack 30a in Figure 10a. In other words, the cycle of control of the parts during rotation in one direction has been completed and during the return movement of the tank to 180 the same sequence of movement of the parts will occur with the exception that the functions of the control racks 40 and 40a are reversed. In this connection, it will be recalled that the cam track 58 controls the movement of the control racks 40a in one direction while the cam track 59 controls their movement in the other direction. Similarly the cam tracks for controlling the racks 40 are similar for the respective movements in either direction.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that as the tank structure is oscillated back and forth the jars in each track structure are transferred back and forth between the opposite tracks thereof so that in each instance they have a gravity descent of a track section under the control of the cam structure as illustrated. Also, the end jar of each file in a track structure at the end of a complete oscillatory movement will become aligned with the discharge chute i 8 and, when the barrier provided by the perforated gate or plate BI is withdrawn, will be discharged along the chute l8 for further processing or for easing.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the step-by-step advance of jars or other containers along a track structure of the character disclosed herein does not require a full 180 oscillation. As illustrated in Figures 8a through 80, the advance can be accomplished with a shorter oscillation of the track structure as it is only necessary for the weight of the jars to be transferred from one track to the opposite track during the oscillatory movement. It is also to be noted that the same jar advancing operation can be effected by rotation of the tank or track structure through 360 by appropriate modification of the cam structure and the feed and discharge lines for the processing medium.

It will also be appreciated that the control racks 40 and the tracks 36 can be interchanged as to position so that a single stationary track engages the center of the containers and their ends are engaged by the movable control racks. While it is desirable to produce agitation of the containers during their movement in many processing steps and for this purpose in the present embodiment, the tracks 36 extend slightly above the control racks 4B in the direction of the containers in order to insure rotation or agitation of the containers as they move with the control racks. In some cases where no agitation is desirable it would be possible to eliminate the agitating function.

Figure 13 illustrates a modified construction which can be employed where the jar or container construction is such that breakage is not a problem. In this view, which corresponds gen erally to Figure 3, the opposite tracks of the track structure are spaced sufiiciently apart that there is no possibility of interference between a control rack travelling in one direction and a jar or other container travelling down the opposite track under control of the opposite rack. In this modification an opposite pair of the transverse angle bars 42 of the opposite control racks are connected together for simultaneous opposite movement, for example, by means of a cable structure illustrated schematically at T2. In this construction as one rack travels downwardly along its supporting slots under the weight of the containers thereon, the opposite rack travels downwardly in the opposite direction to a position to receive the containers upon the next oscillaman acs tion. Inrtiiis *waythe "gravity travel of i 'aconticl rackloadedwitnjars"downitsinclined guideway efiects a restoration ofthe oppo'site empty control rack interpositiontorecfivethe containers for the next stepof movement.

WithTespectto themodification -'ofd'ilueinvention shown diagrammatically "in Figures "8a throughficwhereinthetilting 'OfflIB track structure is reduced-"inextenttoanamount suflicient to "transfer the "weight of the jar be'tweenthe opposite "control racks l I, it will-"be appreciated that-this typeoi? structurecambe'employed "as a single file step byestep "container *fee'd mechanism.

'While-I have "shown certainpreferred'embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the invention 'is capable*ofvariation'and modification fromthe i'form "shown so that "its scope s'hould"be limitedpnly by thescope'of the claims appendedherto.

"I'claim:

'1. In processing apparatus'ioriood'in containers, a "track structure mounted "for "tilting movement about a"longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal traks of generally saw-".toothoontour'lt'o provide a .seiies disinclined track sectionsi in each track; .the .sections of each trackibing equally andbppositly inclined with. respect-i150.said'longitudinal taxis and thelrespective Ltrakshaizingithir track sections longitudinally olist with respect'fto ..each dither, and container. controlrmeans'in said track structure'for. each'trakifforlcontrolling back .ar'idifofth step-by-s'tep..movement of .the container ffrom section .to section .of said .ltracks during tilting movement of ..the ltrack structure, each citsiid container control means being mounted .Jior movement in .a' direction substantially parallelito the track sections .of .lihe associated track.

2. In processing apparatusfforifood in containers, va tra'ck structure fmounte'dfor tilting movement about a longitudinal Y axis,v saidtrack structure tincluding 'oppo'site longitudinal tracks of generally saw-tooth contountowprovi'de a (series or inclined track sectionslin each-track, land .a container control .rack mounted adj a'cent -eafc'h track for reciprocationin apath parallertoithe associated track section'for contro'llingiback and forth step-'by-step movement of the container from section to section 6f. saidtracks 'dui ing 'tilting movement .rof rthe'itrack structure.

3. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure -mounted forltilting movement about alongitudinal axis, said track structure including 1 opposite longitudinal tracks :of generally saw-tooth contour to provide a double row of inclinedi'track sections inieachztrack, and a container control rack mounted between the rows of track sections of each track for reciprocation "in'a tlpath parallel to"the "associated-track sections for controlling "back fand forth stepby-stepmovement 'ofth'econtainer from; section to section oflsaidtracks "durin'gitilting :movement of the :track "structure, -eachtof said'macks including inclinedracksectionsofsaid saw tooth contour andfdisposed'tocoincidewith saidftrack sections atone endoithe path of travel of "the rack and each rack section being disposed to form a continuation of the associated parallel track sections when moved away from said one end of the path of travel of the rack.

4. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal tracks of "generally saw-"tooth "contour-to' provide alternate valleys and rises in each? trackithevalleys of "said opposite "tracks "being staggered" with respect fto each otherto Tenable step=by-istep"progressionoi a "container"in"transferring "back 'and foith between the valleys 'of'isaid tracks,--'and container control" means in said 'trackstructure-for controlling step=byestep "movement of containers from valleyto'val'ley-of"saidtracks :dur'in'gtilting movement df the trackstru'cture, "said container control means comprising a rack associated -with eachtrack :and mounted for movement between respective advanced 'and'retracted positions with respect to the associated track.

5. 'Iniproces'sing 'tapparatus for food :in containers, *a track structure mounted for tilting movement about "'a "longitudinal axis, :said track structure-including opposite "longitudinal sets "of double tracksnf jgenera'lly saw-tooth contour to provide 'alternate' valleys and rises in eac'htracii, each double trackoeingfpositioned to engage J8. container adjacent its "ends, the valleys 'of "said opposite tracks being staggered with respect "to 1 eachother-to enable "step-by step progression-of a container .in transferring back and"for.th .b'etweenthe valleys of said'tracks, 'andia container control rack mounted betweenthe" tracks of each, set forcontrollingstepiby stepmovement of "containers from valley to valley of "said tracks "during tilting movement of the track structure.

*6. Inprocessing tapparatus'for food in "containers, a 'track structure mounted for tilting 'm'ovement'abou't .a longitudinal axis, :said track structureincluding'oppositelongitudinal sets of -double tracks of generally saw-toothpcontour to provide alternate "valleys and rises in eachtra'dlg, eachf double trackbeing positioned to engage a container adjacentfits endsjthe valleys off said 'opposit'e tracksbeing staggered Iwithre'spectto "each other to .enablestep-by-step' progression oi:a 'container .in transferring back :and :forth -between the valleys "of said tracks, a container control rack mounted between the tracks of each setifior controlling".step byestep movement of containers from'valley'to valley of said tracksduring-tilting,

movement "of .thetra'ck structure, andmeansiior' controlling sa'id 'racks'to engage 'both of "said racks with a container as'its 'we'ight'shiftsirom' one*'to* the "other "Idf 'the tracks during *said'iti'ltin'g movement.

"7. inprocessing apparatus'for Too'din'con'tain ers atrack' structure mounted for Ltilting move ment about alongitudinal .axis, saidtrack structure includingppposite "longitudinal tracks of generallytsaw to'othcontourtojprovide alternate valleys "andfirises in :each "track; a container progressing andcontrol rack for each of "saidtracks and having -a ."su'bstantially ts'im'ilar. contour, and

meansfor operating said .ra'cks'ito eiiectgprogression of a. container back an'd'forth' between said opposite "tracks fin a steD-by-"step progression along said itrack structure, said ",last named meansincluding meansfforpositioning said control'racks to engage a container simultaneously during transfer of the containerl from one track tothefother. 1 "78;"In processing apparatus ."for Zfooid Jinf can:

to valley of said tracks during tilting movement of the track structure, and control mechanism for said racks for elfecting transfer of a container from one track to the opposite track during the period of the tilting movement in which the container is supported on an end.

9. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a trackstructure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal tracks of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each track, container control means in each of said tracks for effecting back and forth step-by-step movement of the container from valley to valley of said tracks during tilting movement of the track structure, each of said container control means being mounted for movement between retracted and advanced positions thereof, and control mechanism for said container cdntrol means for controlling simultaneous timed movement thereof to effect transfer of a container from one track to the opposite track during the period of the tilting movement in which the container is supported on an end.

In processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal tracks of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each track, opposite container control racks in said track structure for controlling back and forth step-by-step movement of the container from valley to valley of said tracks during tilting movement of the track structure, said racks being mounted for limited movement along respective inclined paths in divergent relation to the longitudinal axis of the track structure, and control mechanism for posi tioning said racks to cause transfer of a container from one track to the opposite track during the period of the tilting movement in which the container is supported on an end.

11. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said structure including opposite longitudinal container progressing and control elements of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each element, said elements being mounted for movement along respective inclined paths with respect to said axes, and means for operating said elements to effect movement of a container back and forth between said opposite elements in a step-by-step progression along said structure.

12. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said structure including opposite longitudinal container progressing and control elements of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each element, said elements being mounted for movement along respective inclined paths with respect to said axes, and means for efifecting a timed endwise movement of said elements in cyclic relation to the tilting movement of the structure to control movement of a container back and forth between said opposite elements in a step-by-step progression along said structure.

13. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal tracks of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each track, and respective opposite container control racks in said track structure mounted for limited movement along respective inclined paths in divergent relation to the longitudinal axis of the track structure, said racks being connected for simultaneous opposite movement to control step-by-step movement of a container from valley to valley of said tracks during tilting movement of the track structure.

14. In processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said track structure including opposite longitudinal tracks of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each track, and respective opposite container control racks in said track structure mounted for limited movement along respective inclined paths in divergent relation to the longitudinal axis of the track structure to control step-by-step movement of a container from valley to valley of said tracks during tilting movement of the track structure.

5. In a processing apparatus for food in containers, a track structure mounted for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, said structure including opposite longitudinal container progressing and control elements of generally saw-tooth contour to provide alternate valleys and rises in each element, said elements being mounted for movement along respective divergent inclined paths with respect to said axis, with the inclination of each path corresponding generally to an inclined portion of the associated element, and means for effecting a timed endwise movement of said elements in cycled relation to the tilting movement of the structure to control movement of the container back and forth between said opposite elements in a step-by-step progression along said structure,'said movement effecting means including means for eifecting simultaneous engagement of said elements with the container at the time the container is supported on its end in being transferred from one of said elements to the other.

EARL R'. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,086,194 Marquis Feb. 3, 1914 1,153,177 Keast Sept. 7, 1915 1,249,771 Kevlin Dec. 11, 1915 1,437,882 Barrows Dec. 5, 1922 1,488,252 House Mar. 25, 1924 1,520,187 Lawson Dec. 23, 1924 1,630,438 Layland May 31, 1927 1,676,714 Smallidge July 10, 1928' 

